Articles from the September 10, 2020 edition


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  • Sidewalk to remove foot traffic from roadway

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    Instead of dodging traffic while walking to the grocery store or bus stop, residents and students will be able to walk safely on a sidewalk Petersburg Indian Association is building on N. 12th St. and Howkan St. "With no sidewalks on either side, it gets a little tight there for traffic," said PIA Tribal Administrator Tracy Welsh. "It's a safety issue for all around." The sidewalk begins at N. 12 St. and Haugen Dr., runs along the north side of N. 12th St. and continues on the north side of Howk...

  • Crystal Lake Hatchery funding in peril

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    The Alaska Department of Fish & Game will be shutting down its Southeast Alaska enhancement program due to an absence of funding, leaving the future of Crystal Lake Hatchery (CLH) in jeopardy, said David Landis, Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association general manager, in a prepared statement. SSRAA operates CLH under a contract with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fishing for a total of $517,300. A portion of the funding that the hatchery receives, $200,000,... Full story

  • School begins under split schedules

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    Petersburg School District students are glad to be back at school, despite COVID-19 protocols in place, and have been adapting to the new split schedules, said PSD principals Heather Conn and Rick Dormer at a school board meeting on Tuesday. At Rae C. Stedman Elementary School, one group of students attends class physically in the morning while the second group attends virtually from home. Then in the afternoon, the two groups switch. The group that attended class in-person in the morning is...

  • No new cases of COVID-19 in 20 days

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    Twenty days have gone by since Petersburg has had a positive case of COVID-19 in the community as of Wednesday, Sept. 9. The last confirmed case of the virus was a non-resident who tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 14 and recovered on Aug. 21. Petersburg Medical Center has collected a total of 3,456 test samples to be tested for COVID-19 onsite or at outside laboratories as of Wednesday, Sept. 9. Of those test samples collected, 25 are still pending and about 3,418 have returned negative. Jus...

  • Assembly requests action due to poor salmon run

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    A letter asking state officials to declare Southeast Alaska an area impacted by an economic disaster due to fishery losses was approved by the borough assembly at their meeting on Tuesday. The letter, addressed to Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Julie Anderson, commissioner of the department of commerce, community, and economic development, requests that they take steps to secure relief funding for fishermen in Southeast Alaska. The assembly also requested Dunleavy direct the Alaska Department of Fish...

  • Borough releases $565,000 in CARES Act funding

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    The borough assembly approved $565,000 from its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act special revenue fund at their meeting on Tuesday for businesses and families who are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was released with the approval of two resolutions by the assembly. Resolution #2020-16 allocates $500,000 in grants for local businesses that have experienced a loss in gross revenue by 20 percent or $10,000 over 2019. Resolution #2020-17 offers...

  • $608,348 set aside for Medical Center

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    The Petersburg Borough Assembly agreed to set aside $608,345 at their meeting on Tuesday from its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act special revenue fund for COVID-19 related costs at Petersburg Medical Center. According to PMC Controller Rocio Tejera, the funds won't immediately be transferred to the hospital. The borough will set the money aside in case PMC needs the funding in the future. While PMC is actively looking for grants and other sources of revenue to cover the costs...

  • Vikings take #1 spots in cross country meet

    Brian Varela|Sep 10, 2020

    The Petersburg High School runners took first place in both the boys and girls races in the first cross country meet of the season at Klawock on Saturday, Sept. 5. On the boys team, junior Uriah Lucas took first place with a time of 17:32, and sophomore Alexus Sakamoto-Quezon came in first place in the girls race with a time of 24:08. Petersburg, Craig and Klawock were the only teams to compete in the race. The number of runners allowed on the course were limited to prevent the spread of COVID-1...

  • Hunters asked to steer clear of Kake

    Sep 10, 2020

    Kake is asking hunters and others not meeting specific travel exceptions to avoid travel to or through the community to avoid the spread of Covid-19. In August, the community established travel restrictions for people traveling to or from Kake. Only first responders, law enforcement officials, Children’s Services officials, medical patient travelers or persons involved with critical infrastructure duties are permitted to enter or leave to the City of Kake, according to an order issued by Mayor Lloyd Davis on August 14. The city requires that p...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler|Sep 10, 2020

    Coho Salmon Marine catch rates for coho salmon are now on the decline but freshwater fishing is getting better and better. Anglers can expect freshwater opportunity to continue over the next several weeks as coho salmon return to their natal spawning grounds. Fishing near the confluence of fresh and saltwater with a casting or fly rod is a great way to spend the day fishing this time of year. There is nothing quite like having a chrome coho salmon on the hook and experiencing their renowned aerial acrobatics. Some popular nearshore fishing...

  • Editorial: Seafood worker story not fair or balanced

    Ron Loesch|Sep 10, 2020

    We have no desire to critique the public radio station's work but last week we had several people ask what we thought of station intern Corinne Smith's story that aired on KFSK. The story highlighted seafood workers' summer employment experiences in Petersburg under the state's Covid-19 mandates. The piece fell far below the level of excellence usually attained by the station's news department. More work was needed to add balance to a story that could have highlighted the achievements of both... Full story

  • Letters to the Editor

    Sep 10, 2020

    Ripple effect To the Editor: It is my hope that when you read my words that you resolve to do better things. We need to start fostering our own indigenous lands and people. This man made aquifer is failing underneath our feet. Recognize that if we don't do more the Black Lives Movement is a moot point. Indigenous people are never going to be able to start healing if we don't do more. As whites we fear loss because the veil of shame is a thing our forefathers gave to us, shame based guilt is a...

  • Police report

    Sep 10, 2020

    September 2— A bear was seen at a location on Howkan St. Authorities responded to a report of an intoxicated person at North Boat Harbor. Extra patrols were requested in the downtown area. September 3— Suspicious activity was observed at a location on Kiseno St. Authorities responded to a report of harassment at a location on N. Nordic Dr. Extra patrols were requested in the downtown area. Bears were spotted at locations on Excel St., Sandy Beach Rd., Hungry Point Trail, Wrangell Ave., N. 1st St. and Dolphin St. September 4— Authorities assis...

  • AK Legislature hears opposition to fisheries board pick

    Sep 10, 2020

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The choice of a director of the disputed Pebble Mine project to sit on the Alaska Board of Fisheries has drawn opposition from fishermen and critics of the proposed mine. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy appointed Abe Williams to a three-year term on the board in April, The Anchorage Daily News reported Wednesday. Alaska legislative committees are holding confirmation hearings on the selection after the process was recessed in the spring because of the coronavirus outbreak. Williams serves as regional affairs director f...

  • The little truck that could

    Sep 10, 2020

    Matt Garretts tested the limits of his truck on Sept. 1 when he packed the bed full of debris to take to the dump....

  • Tides: before and after

    Sep 10, 2020

    Low tide at Castle Flats Cabin on Labor Day left nearby boats aground until the tide rose again later in the day....

  • Fish Factor: Kodiak to be first debate between candidates in Alaska's highest-profile political race: the U.S. Senate

    Laine Welch|Sep 10, 2020

    Kodiak has again scored a first debate between candidates in one of Alaska’s most high-profile political races: the U.S. Senate. Kodiak has been hosting debates for congressional and gubernatorial hopefuls since 1999 with a single focus: Alaska’s seafood industry. The date and format for the U.S. Senate faceoff are still being finalized, but it will occur in close proximity to the annual ComFish event on September 17 and 18, bumped by Covid from its traditional dates in March, and now set to be a virtual experience. Republican Senator Dan Sul...

  • Relocating

    Sep 10, 2020

    Robyn and Daniel Cardenas's float house enroute to Petersburg from Wrangell on Sept. 3....

  • Artifact Archive

    Sep 10, 2020

    In 1962, a Petersburg sewing club learned that the people of Noatak, population 270, were in need of clothing and fabric for household goods. The group's secretary, Mrs. Leon Hasbrouck, wrote the Noatak Mother's Club with an offer of fabric, clothing and other items for the community. A local airline even offered to fly the gift box for free. Letters, goods and toys were exchanged; and in 1965, a thank-you package from Noatak arrived for Petersburg. It included tiny replica Inuit yo-yos,...

  • Skagway considers mining traffic to diversify port

    Sep 10, 2020

    SKAGWAY, Alaska (AP) — A southeast Alaska community is considering how to diversify its port traffic when a significant tourism contract ends, which has drawn the interest of the mining industry. The Yukon Producers’ Group industry, an industry organization for mining and mineral exploration companies, said Skagway is essential to mining in the Yukon, Alaska’s Energy Desk reported. The port in the Municipality and Borough of Skagway has been dominated by tourism interests in recent decades, but a long-standing waterfront lease with touri...

  • Owner of historic boat shop in dispute with Forest Service

    Sep 10, 2020

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service issued a deadline to the operator of an Alaska island boat shop to tear down the historic complex and leave, but the owner said the agency’s demands are unrealistic. The federal agency ordered Sam Romey to vacate Wolf Creek Boatworks on Prince of Wales Island, CoastAlaska reported Thursday. Tongass Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart said in an Aug. 14 letter that the boathouse and shop building must be removed by Dec. 15. Ownership of the land parcel occupied by the shop is scheduled to be tra...

  • Labor Day sunrise

    Sep 10, 2020

    The calm waters at Sandy Beach reflected the morning sunrise....